“THE BANQUET” SELECTED AS HONG KONG’S OSCAR ENTRY

Hong Kong, Sept. 28, 2006 -- Co-produced by Hong Kong’s Media Asia Films and China’s Huayi Brothers, the US$20m (HK$160m) epic “The Banquet” has been officially selected as Hong Kong’s entry to the 79th Oscar’s Best Foreign Film category, as announced today at the press conference held by the Federation of Motion Film Producers of Hong Kong.

The film is currently taking the theatres by storm, accumulating a phenomenal US$13m (HK$100m) box office across Asia, including US$11m (RMB90m) in China, US$200,000 (NT$31m) in Taiwan, US$200,000 (RM$0.8m) in Malaysia and US$400,000 (S$0.8m) in Singapore. The star-studded film is on its way to becoming one of the top grosser in Asian cinema this year.

More good news for “The Banquet” was announced at the press conference: it has also been officially selected for this year’s Asia Pacific Film Festival (APFF), scheduled to be held in Taipei on Oct. 21. The film will compete against other Asian and Hong Kong entries, including “Wait ’Til You’re Older”, the second-highest grossing film in Hong Kong last year. Both titles were produced by Media Asia Films, an APFF regular that has previously entered the festival with “Infernal Affairs” and “Initial D”.

The talents behind “The Banquet” are no strangers to kudos. They include China’s top-grossing director Feng Xiaogang, internationally acclaimed action choreographer and producer Yuen Wo-ping (“The Matrix” trilogy, “Kill Bill”), Oscar-winning production designer Tim Yip and composer Tan Dun (both from “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”). The stellar cast includes Hong Kong Film Awards winners Ziyi Zhang (“2046”) and Zhou Xun (“Perhaps Love”), Cannes-winning actor Ge You (“To Live”) and Golden Horse winner Daniel Wu (“Divergence”).

Source: Media Asia Distribution & Shaw

Singapore Dreaming screens to full house at the San Sebastian International Film Festival

(SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN, 26 September 2006) Audiences at the 54th San Sebastian International Film Festival greeted the European premiere of Singapore Dreaming with sustained applause, right through the film's end credits. Singapore Dreaming played to a full house at its premiere, and its remaining 2 public screenings for the 27th and 28th of October are also sold out.

After the screening, members of the audience congratulated the directors, WOO Yen Yen and Colin GOH, and the actors, Richard LOW, Alice LIM, Serene CHEN and Dick SU, on their layered and moving portrayal of the lives of Singaporeans, and the themes of patriarchy and the influence of capitalism in today's modern Asian societies. To everyones delight, many of the younger audiences also came up to the actors to tell them how moved they were by the story of Singapore Dreaming.

Executive produced by Dr. Woffles WU, written, directed and produced by the husband-and-wife team WOO Yen Yen and Colin GOH, SINGAPORE DREAMING has also received international recognition, as it is the first Singaporean film to be selected for competition in the Zabaltegi section of the prestigious San Sebastian International Film Festival. It is 1 of only 3 Asian films selected to participate in the New Directors section and it is in competition for the festiva's Montblanc Screenwriters Award and the Altadis-New Directors Award.

Says Woo Yen Yen, "We are extremely excited and grateful that the film was selected for competition at San Sebastian. It means so much for a small film like ours. The warm reception we had at the screening today is extremely encouraging because it shows that how family members relate to one another and shape each other's dreams are experiences that go beyond cultural differences."

Family relations are emotionally very complex, and we needed great actors to pull it offadded Colin GOH. And I think that with Singapore Dreaming, we were very fortunate to work with what is in my opinion, the strongest ensemble cast ever assembled in Singapore cinema history. They brought both intelligence and soul to their craft, and the overwhelming reaction from today's audience at our premiere proves the depth and sincerity of their acting.

SINGAPORE DREAMING is the highest grossing Singapore film not made by government-owned MediaCorp Raintree Pictures or popular TV comedian Jack Neo since 1999. It has been dubbed the best film (Singapore) has produced in a decade by writer and TODAY film critic Neil Humphreys.

Singapore Dreaming is a poignant, yet darkly humorous story about a typical Singaporean family coming to grips with their aspirations. It weaves a layered and moving tale about loss, ambition and the search for what really matters in life.

The film stars actor Richard LOW (winner, Best Supporting Actor, Star Awards), Serene CHEN (winner, Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress nominee, 2005 Life! Theatre Awards), LIM Yu-Beng (winner, Best Actor, 2005 Life! Theatre Awards), Alice LIM, YEO Yann Yann and Dick SU.

Singapore Dreaming is also the first collaboration between Singapore and New York filmmakers: directed, written, directed and produced by WOO Yen Yen & Colin GOH, its beautiful visuals are the work of respected New York-based director of photography Martina RADWAN, whose film Ferry Tales was nominated for an Academy Award in 2004, while its evocative musical score is the work of acclaimed Singaporean composer Sydney Tan who has produced and arranged for Kit Chan, Dick Lee, and Singapore Idol-winner Taufik Batisah. Rounding off this international collaboration are New York-based editor Rachel KITTNER (who co-edited the 2006 Oscar-nominated documentary Street Fight) and sound designer Paul HSU, whose most recent projects include Ang Lee™ The Hulk, Barry Sonnenfeld™ Men in Black II and The Night Listener, starring Robin Williams. The film was executive produced and co-produced by renowned plastic surgeon Dr Woffles WU.

New info for "CONFESSION OF PAIN".

From the phenomenal "Infernal Affairs" trilogy to the manga-adapted "Initial D", the multiple award-winning trio - formed by directors Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, with scriptwriter Felix Chong, brings us a new thriller to watch out for!

In "Confession of Pain", Tony Leung plays a seasoned detective named Hei, while Takeshi Kaneshiro is his former partner turned private investigator Bong, who is street-smart and alcoholic. The two friends team up in a gruesome murder case that gradually digs out the skeletons in their closets.


Bong loses his joie de vivre but later entangled with the happy-go-lucky Feng (Shu Qi), while Hei is spinning a dangerous web unbeknownst to his newly wedded wife Susan (XuJinglei).


Every step of their journey takes them closer and closer to one another, until a shocking denouement in which no stone is left unturned and no one can escape unscathed.

Release date: 14 December 2006

Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Shu Qi, Xu Jinglei,Chapman To

Director: Andrew Lau, Alan Mak

Asian Festival of 1st Films (AFFF): 30 November 2006 – 7 December 06

Singapore will yet again be the host country for the annual Asian Festival of 1^st Films. This festival celebrates the excellence of first-time producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, actors and documentary makers from the Asian diaspora.

Held in conjunction with the Asia Media Festival and Asian Media Market, the AFFF boasts eminent personalities from the global film industry who will be part of selection committee and jury to select the winning films and documentaries. Winning films have been selected and screened at the likes of Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals around the world.

Over the 10-day festival period, screenings will be shown at various Golden Village cinemas and the Arts House and will culminate into a glitzy, by-invite-only award ceremony graced by celebrities.

For more information, visit www.asianfirstfilms.com.

FRANK MILLER'S 300 Trailer!

Check out this awesome trailer for the film “300”. Definitely the film to look out for when it opens next year March!

http://mftm.blogspot.com/2006/09/300-2007-promo-trailer-scoop.html

MADONNA RELEASES STATEMENT EXPLAINING CRUCIFIX SCENE

As Madonna's Confessions Tour comes to an end in Japan this week, the artist has released a statement regarding the much talked about Crucifixion scene.

"I am very grateful that my show was so well received all over the world. But there seems to be many misinterpretations about my appearance on the cross and I wanted to explain it myself once and for all.

There is a segment in my show where three of my dancers ‘confess’ or share harrowing experiences from their childhood that they ultimately overcame. My 'confession' follows and takes place on a Crucifix that I ultimately come down from. This is not a mocking of the church. It is no different than a person wearing a Cross or ‘Taking Up the Cross’ as it says in the Bible. My performance is neither anti- Christian, sacrilegious or blasphemous. Rather, it is my plea to the audience to encourage mankind to help one another and to see the world as a unified whole. I believe in my heart that if Jesus were alive today he would be doing the same thing.

My specific intent is to bring attention to the millions of children in Africa who are dying every day, and are living without care, without medicine and without hope. I am asking people to open their hearts and minds to get involved in whatever way they can. The song ends with a quote from the Bible’s Book of Matthew

'For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you took care of me and God replied, ‘Whatever you did for the least of my brothers...you did it to me’.

Please do not pass judgment without seeing my show.”

Madonna's "Confessions Tour - Live From London" is scheduled to air on NBC this November. NBC has not confirmed whether they will include this portion of the show in their broadcast.

The artist is scheduled to come to New York at the end of October to promote her new children's book "The English Roses - Too Good To Be True" and has also announced her plans for a trip to Malawi for several weeks in November to participate in the building of an orphanage and care center for the children of that country (www.raisingmalawi.com).

LOVE ASIA Teaser 2

LOVE ASIA DVD Review Coming Soon...

Courtesy of InnoForm Media

THE DEPARTED CHARACTER POSTERS + ONE SHEET

LOVE ASIA Teaser

LOVE ASIA DVD Review Coming Soon...

Courtesy of InnoForm Media

THE HOST OVERTAKES BROTHERHOOD (Taeguki) AS SINGAPORE’S NO.2 KOREAN FILM OF ALL TIME

Singapore (19th September) - In its 11th day of general release, THE HOST has overtaken BROTHERHOOD (Taeguki) as the second highest-grossing Korean film of all time in Singapore, with a cumulative box office of S$592,612.

BROTHERHOOD’s (Taeguki’s) total box office stood at S$585,227.

THE HOST is currently released on 23 prints island-wide including 5 on digital format.

Josh Groban "Awake" - New Album Out on November 7th

NEW CD

"AWAKE"
IN STORES ON NOVEMBER 7TH


The legions of Josh Groban fans will slumber no more as Reprise Records announced today a November 7th worldwide release of the hotly anticipated Awake, the follow up CD to the mega star's previous two albums, the self titled Josh Groban and the multi- platinum Closer which collectively sold well over 13 million CD's.

Groban's 'hands on' approach in the creative process of Awake is reflected in several Groban penned and produced songs along with musical contributions from Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Dave Matthews, Glen Ballard, Eric Mouquet, John Ondrasik Vandrasak
(Five for Fighting) Marius DeVries, David Foster, Imogen Heap and Herbie Hancock.

Awake's 13 new songs including the just released first single, "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)," show the Grammy nominated Groban's tremendous growth as a vocalist, producer and songwriter since he first appeared on the musical landscape.

"I learned from touring that my fans are really open-minded, musical, intelligent people and I feel like they want to come on this new journey with me. The music still sounds like it's coming from my heart and my soul and my voice. That is always the most important thing to me. My goal on Awake was to create the music and find the best people to help me create it," commented Groban.

With a lineup of stellar producers including Marius DeVries, Guy Sigsworth, Glen Ballard and David Foster, the album contains songs in Italian, Spanish and of course English. An early stand-out, "February Song" with Josh on keyboards came to the 25-year-old Los Angeles native on a sleepless night. "I wanted to write a song that melodically and lyrically represented the craziness I felt in that moment in the dark dark space. I walked over to the piano and it just came to me in a half hour in the most magical way."

Additionally, Groban recorded a suite of two stunningly haunting songs where he harmonizes with longtime idols Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The first song, the Groban/Dave Mattthews penned "Lullaby" is sung a cappella and the follow up, the South African song, "Weeping" which Josh first heard on a trip to South Africa. "The musical tapestry of the country and their heated history, the honor of meeting Nelson Mandela and visiting schools in Soweto was totally inspiring. And, it was a dream of a lifetime for me to sing with Ladysmith in the studio. I've loved them from the moment I heard Paul Simon's Graceland."

Josh Groban burst on to the international music scene in 2001 with the release of his self-titled debut album featuring the hit single, "To Where You Are." His follow up CD Closer with the smash hit "You Raise Me Up" brought enormous success to the young singing sensation. He has made scores of television appearances beginning with Ally McBeal and continuing with countless performances on Oprah Winfrey, Good Morning America, The Today Show, two PBS specials, the Superbowl, the Oscars and the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics with an audience of over 2 billion people.

His first PBS Special went on to become the No. 1 selling DVD of 2002.

On the touring front, Groban started out his now legendary 40-city concert tour (which sold out in a record breaking 20 minutes) and then went straight forward to a two-year arena tour across the US.

A Josh Groban tour for 2007 is expected to be announced shortly.

Be Fabulous* Film Series - Exclusively at The Picturehouse

The Picturehouse, together with Moët & Chandon and HSBC are proud to present the first-ever Be Fabulous* Film Series featuring four memorable cinematic icons "Some Like It Hot". No one's a more fabulous screen siren than Marilyn Monroe and she proves it in this light Billy Wilder classic. Besides, who can resist a cross-dressing Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon?

Dial M For MurderOne of the best from the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, this is a classic from the film noir genre. It stars ever-elegant Grace Kelly, looking lush in Hitchcock's stylish cinematography and captivating story line.

Dr. No The iconic 007 legend begins here. Dr. No is the original of the spy movie series and is also a historical art piece in the motion picture industry. If Casino Royale is your cup of tea, this Ian Fleming film is a must-watch. The original James Bond, played by the inimitable Sean Connery, oozes suave sophistication and class.


Viva Las VegasThere's nothing like the King. Elvis Presley, in all his lip-curling glory, is pop star-perfect and accompanied by Ann Margret, who is simply delightful. You'll be rollicking to the familiar music.

For $25 each, ticketholders to the film series will receive a glass of Moët champagne at The Picturehouse Lounge and an exclusive doorgift set comprising a mini pillow and a pair of slippers in a bag. Ticketholders will also stand a chance to win a Moët Swarovski Star necklace. Advance tickets are now on sale at The Picturehouse box-office, Level 5, The Cathay, 2 Handy Road and online at www.thepicturehouse.com.sg.

The Opening of GV VivoCity

Golden Village Multiplex invites everyone to the opening of its newest flagship cinema at VivoCity on 7 October 2006, Saturday. Movie sessions will start 12:30 pm onwards.

GV VivoCity is the new flagship of Golden Village Multiplex. It is the biggest and the most luxurious cinema in Singapore This new, state-of-the-art 15-plex occupies a stunning 90,000 sq feet of space, has 2,173-seats and is expected to entertain over a million patrons per year. GV VivoCity will show the widest variety of movies with 15 screens under one roof.

GV VivoCity sets a new benchmark for multiplexes in Singapore by introducing the latest world-class features coupled with 4 different types of screens:
- 1 GVmax - the ultimate big screen experience and a gigantic, stadium-like auditorium with 602 seats and one of the widest screens in Asia (22.4 metres), the length of 2 SBS Buses combined.
- 3 Gold Class Cinemas – the ultimate in luxury movie viewing with a private lounge and plush electronic recliner seats comparable to First Class airline seats all equipped with call buttons for faster and more discreet service. GV VivoCity sets a new benchmark for multiplexes in Singapore by introducing a sophisticated club ambience, with 5-star food and beverage (including a top wine list) and a private dining room.
- 1 Cinema Europa – The World Cinema with a concept of “a film festival all year round”. Featuring digital sound, deluxe stadium seating (108 seats) and a magnificent floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall screen.
- 10 New Stadium Cinemas – with state-of-the-art facilities where every seat in every hall is the best in the house - with radiused stadium seating, extra wide legroom and wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling screens.

Be the first to visit GV VivoCity - Singapore’s No.1 Movie Destination with the widest variety of films with 15 screens and experience one of Asia’s largest indoor cinema screen, GV max. For upcoming GV VivoCity promotions log on to www.gv.com.sg.

For all movie-goers, tertiary students, young adults working professionals and everyone else interested to experience the largest multiplex cinema in Singapore. We hope to see you there.

MRT : NEL, HarbourFront Station (Only 9 mins from Dhoby Ghaut)

Bus Services :
SBS Transit : 10, 30,30e,97,97e,100,131, 143,145,166,57,65,80 and 93
Other Buses : 61,188,855 and 963

Personal transport: 5 minutes drive from the Central Business District (CBD) and 10 minutes from Orchard Road.
From other parts of Singapore, take the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), followed by the Telok Blangah Road exit.
Over 4,000 car park lots for private vehicles. Special parking areas for coaches and tour buses.

No Show for Ziyi Zhang

International Superstar Actress Ziyi Zhang who was supposed to be making an appearance on the 14th Sept 06 had to cancel the Singapore leg of The Banquet promotion.

Citing problem in getting visa for entry to Toronto from Singapore, Ziyi Zhang won't be joining co-star Daniel Wu at Singapore Lido cinema for the gala preview of their show The Banquet.

THE ALIEN INVASION

THE ALIEN INVASION is Singapore's first and only nominee for "Best International Digital Short Film" in the 2004 Golden Horse Awards in Taipei, and in that year, it was the only non-Taiwanese Asian film nominee amongst other international Oscar nominees. After premiering around the world, it is finally coming home to Singapore.

The short film features over 80 cast members of real life students, staff and professors in this action comedy about them saving the world, in the day that aliens finally decided to attack Singapore, or rather Asia, instead of their usual America.
To allow you to watch the film and experience the Digital Launch first-hand, you can catch the sneak preview of it here:
http://www.richmanclub.com/thealieninvasion.htm
The website will also feature the Official Behind the Scenes as well as 15 short Outtakes about the nonsensical adventures the cast and crew went through to create the film.


The Digital Launch will involve the free distribution and screening of THE ALIEN INVASION short film on all available major digital mediums, by capitalizing on the available technological infrastructure and proliferation of digital devices, in Singapore. So anyone with Internet, iPods, PSPs, 3G phones, PocketPCs, PDAs etc. and simply any major video enabled digital device, can watch the short film for free from 1st September(Teachers' Day) at www.richmanclub.com.
We believe that a dedicated digital launch of this scale has not been attempted before in the world, and should test if Singapore's "digital environment" is indeed ready for entertainment in the "Digital Age" as described recently.

THE HOST BREAKS RECORD FOR KOREAN FILMS IN SINGAPORE

Singapore (8th September) - Warner Bros is proud to announce that the blockbuster THE HOST has set a new opening day record for Korean films in Singapore with a box office gross of S$84, 782.

This result has well surpassed other Korean hits such as Wishing Stairs (S$63, 701), Takeguki (S$59, 503), Untold Scandal (S$50, 399) and Tale of 2 Sisters (S$47, 134).

THE HOST opened on 7th September on a release of 23 prints.

Warner Bros Singapore General Manager Ng Peng Hui says, “We are very excited and pleased with this number. It indicates that there is a high curiosity factor for this critically acclaimed monster flick which will translate a strong box office results in the coming week.”

THE HOST is the first Korean film released locally on digital format. Audiences can experience THE HOST in its full technical brilliance at five digital halls in Singapore – Orchard Cineleisure, Suntec, Jubilee, Toa Payoh and West Mall.

THE HOST – A critically-acclaimed success and box office hit, the film centres on a mutant monster that emerges from the Han River to wreak terror on unsuspecting park-goers.

The creature was created as a result of the collaboration between two accomplished and reputable special effects studios - The Orphanage (Superman Returns, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), and WETA (The Lord of the Rings trilogy).

The Queen wins Venice's heart

Festive Films is proud to announce that its up-coming movie THE QUEEN had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday 2 September.

Directed by Stephen Frears (Mrs. Henderson Presents), THE QUEEN stars Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in a realistic but full of humour dramatization of the private and public events that surrounded the Royal Family and newly-elected Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) in the immediate aftermath of Princess Diana's death.

Presented in World Premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival, THE QUEEN has received acclaims from the public and the critics. Director Stephen Frears and his cast were welcomed by a standing ovation at the Venice's press conference. Lead actress Helen Mirren's performance has been described as "beautifully nuanced" (Screen International) and "superb" (The Hollywood Reporter). These unanimous praises are putting THE QUEEN in excellent place as early front-runner for Venice's Golden Lion and Coppa Volpi for Best Actress, and some are already speaking of OSCAR buzz.

THE QUEEN will open in the UK on 15 September and in the US on October 6th. THE QUEEN will hit Singapore' screens on January 11th.

Children of Men at Venice Film Festival 2006

Actor Clive Owen attends the premiere of the film 'Children Of Men' during the fifth day of the 63rd Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2006 in Venice, Italy.

MJ Kim



Director Alfonso Cuaron, actors Claire-Hope Ashitey and Clive Owen attend the 63rd Venice Film Festival to promote the film 'Children Of Men'on September 3, 2006 in Venice, Italy.

MJ Kim/Getty Images for UIP

'Children Of Men' is tentatively scheduled to open in Singapore first quarter 2007

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

"Everyone pretend to be normal" Opens in Singapore September 28th!

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE in U.S. Box Office:

*        LMS entered the Top Ten box office this past weekend - it's now
at Number Seven!
*        In the past week (its fourth) LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE outpaced both
the past summer hits MARCH OF THE PENGUINS and NAPOLEON DYNAMITE in
their respective fourth weeks. LMS is even beating Searchlight's Oscar
Winner SIDEWAYS. Cume gross as of (and including) Wednesday, now totals
$14,787,529.

Access LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE page on our website